We were given, perhaps, the best place for trading that an entrepreneur could wish for: right at the main entrance to the Greenwich shopping center. Especially for our flower shop on wheels, the administration of the shopping center kindly allocated a parking space and, in general, coordinated this operation at their own peril and risk. Among ourselves, by the way, we gave her the code name "Green Tulip".

Personally, I don't like tulips. In general, I'm afraid of them. After all, it was in the tulip that Thumbelina was born. Well, and to everything else, flowers are a perishable commodity. We didn't have much time. Flowers had to be packed hard. Freezing them is one of the main risks in winter for this business. Then just to the dump. Among other things, I had to create a kind of signboard in a short time. I tried very hard to draw the way true street vendors do.

The goods were ready and carefully heated from the salon. Outdoor advertising has been mounted, the price has been determined - 66 rubles. I mentally put an hour and ten minutes on the dial. Go. The first clients appeared in about 8 minutes. Judging by my observations, these were the owners of one of the Greenwich outlets. They were in a hurry. One of the young people asked: “How much do they usually give?” I, as an expert florist with great experience, said that 3, 5, 7, 9 or 11. More is better. "Let's go nine." 594 rubles in my pocket.

By the way, it should be noted that we were engaged in the implementation legally. We had both checks and stamps. Most of our flower colleagues, who also spontaneously sell from cars, are not friends with the law and trade on hot March days at the risk of their pockets and even freedom. Have you ever asked a florist for a check or permits?

Valeria Dostovalova, expert of the Accounting.Contour service:

Entrepreneurs selling tulips from the trunk face fines under the Code of Administrative Offenses, there are three relevant articles. The procedure is something like this: a failed trader will be taken to the police station, where they will draw up a protocol on an administrative offense. Then they will be released, and the case will be handed over to a justice of the peace, after which, in a month and a half, they will be summoned to court, where the court will impose a fine. When we receive payment for flowers, this is personal income tax. And there is liability under the Criminal Code for tax evasion under Article 198. Punishable by a fine in the amount of one hundred thousand to three hundred thousand rubles, or arrest for a term of four to six months, or imprisonment for a term of up to one year.

Time flies, and "beautiful, fresh tulips from Holland" continue to remain in our trunk for the most part. The last twenty minutes have gone. I start shouting loudly: “Tulips-tulips. Let's see. Let's buy. Guys, let's buy tulips. The situation changes radically when a woman in an artificial fur coat appears on the horizon. She wonders what the price will be if you take the entire balance. It's already wholesale, guys. There are 55 tulips in the car. At first, I propose to buy everything for 50. Then I start dumping and give 45 rubles apiece. She said she would think about it and come back, but disappeared towards the bus stop.

Time is over. I get money. In 67 minutes, photographer Igor and I earned 914 rubles. Let me remind you that we bought all this stuff for 2,310 rubles. We have not completed the task. Unless they froze well exactly by the sixty-sixth minute. Brief summary of the hour looked like this. We received 914 rubles by selling 16 tulips in a little over an hour. In the city center, on a pre-holiday day. In "Greenwich" and in the Dendropark across the road, the same tulips were sold for 50 rubles apiece.

But this was not the end. We have 50 tulips left.

Summarizing, we can say this. Flower business on March 6, 7, 8 and even 9 is, perhaps, a gold mine. Large wholesalers do not buy at 35 rubles per branch, as we do, but at 25, 20 or even cheaper. They sell at 50. This is a minimum of 100% profit. In order to recoup the costs of the "purchase", to earn 25,000 rubles, you need to sell from 800 to 1,000 tulips. It is difficult or simple, everyone decides for himself. However, I have learned a few simple things. Be legal to avoid sanctions. Don't be cold. Don't overprice. Don't buy more than you can sell. Flowers are not furniture - they will deteriorate quickly. Don't be fooled by the imaginary gold mine. Every business has its challenges and challenges. And finally, if in doubt, it's better to just give.